“Peptide-based products can be used on their own or in combination with other anti-ageing ingredients,” says Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “They are particularly useful in people who have sensitive skin and cannot tolerate irritation from exfoliating acids or retinol.”
What are copper peptides?
“Peptides are groups of amino acids that have biological effects on skin cells. In some cases, they stimulate specific cellular activities like collagen production. These are known as signal peptides,” explains Zeichner. “In other cases, peptides assist in the delivery and activation of other active ingredients. These are known as carrier peptides, and copper peptides are the most commonly used carrier peptides in skincare.”
The derm explains that “copper has several biologic effects, including enhancing wound healing and stimulating collagen. However, on its own, elemental copper does not penetrate through the skin and is not biologically effective within skin cells.” Therefore, peptides are needed to get copper where it’s needed. “Think of the carrier peptide like a fast pass to help you skip the line,” he says. “These products are called copper peptides because the peptide complexes with the copper molecule. However, it’s actually the copper that exerts the main effects in the skin, while the peptide gets it where it needs to go.”
The difference between copper peptides and retinol
Both copper peptides and retinol are great ingredients for addressing signs of ageing. “Copper peptides, particularly GHK-Cu, have been well studied and shown to have beneficial effects on the skin,” explains Zeichner. That being said, it’s hard to compare copper peptides and retinol head-on. “Unfortunately, we are lacking head-to-head studies directly comparing the effectiveness of copper peptides to ingredients like retinol.”
From serums to eye masks, ahead, Bazaar rounds up the most effective formulas with copper peptides for skin.
The best skin care products with copper peptides
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Snail mucin products are all the rage, but not everyone can get on board with the idea of snail goo on their face. InnBeauty Project’s vegan alternative swaps out snail mucin for copper peptides and encapsulated growth factors, which together add firmness and bounce to the skin. The skin is instantly left looking juicy and radiant.
Product specifications
| Key ingredients | Wild yam and encapsulated vegan growth factors, vegan collagen amino acids, and ceramides |
|---|---|
| Skincare concerns | Fine lines and wrinkles, dryness, firmness |
In addition to firming copper peptide, this bottle has a Rapid Plumping Complex with sugarcane-derived squalane, hyaluronic acid, and polyglutamic acid to give skin tons of hydration. It’s like a cool drink of water for parched skin.
Product specifications
| Key ingredients | Squalane, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, firmness |
These effective masks harness the power of copper peptides to smooth fine lines around the delicate eye area, helping to depuff, brighten, and plump the appearance of wrinkles in just a 10-minute session.
Product specifications
| Key ingredients | Banana extract, bakuchiol |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Dullness, tired eyes, fine lines |
With copper peptides to firm and restore elasticity, mandelic acid, and niacinamide to brighten, and an array of skin-loving vitamins, this body serum is packed with a cocktail of ingredients to nourish and tend to the skin below the neck.
Product specification
| Key ingredients | Niacinamide, mandelic acid, red algae, sea moss |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Damaged skin microbiome, dullness |
If fine lines are your major skin concern, look to this serum from Medik8, formulated with a 30 per cent blend of 10 peptides, including a targetted copper peptide, to help boost collagen production and elastin in the skin.
Product Specifications
| Key ingredients | Matrixyl 3000, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Fine lines, expression lines, and deep-set wrinkles, firmness |
This serum focuses on restoring overall skin health, elasticity, and firmness. It addresses redness, irritation, breakouts, and dryness – all the signs of a compromised barrier.
Product specifications
| Key ingredients | Ectoin, panthenol |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | Redness, irritation, firmness |
This cult-favorite product is in a texture class all its own: It starts as a gel before melting into an oil, but it doesn’t feel overly heavy on the skin. Apply it at night like a serum, and you’ll notice a boost in volume, smoothed-out fine lines, and less dryness.
Product specifications
| Key ingredients | Squalane, glycogen |
|---|---|
| Skin concern | Signs of aging, antioxidant support, dryness, texture, uneven skin tone |
Look past the colour of this serum (it’s the brown algae), and you’ll see it’s packed with skin-brightening and tightening ingredients. It’s an ace for hyperpigmentation but also pretty great for addressing everything from fine lines to dryness.
Product specifications
| Key ingredients | Pro-B vitamin complex, niacinamide, brown algae |
|---|---|
| Skin concerns | hyperpigmentation |
Meet the expert:
- Joshua Zeichner, M.D., F.A.A.D. is the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
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